PREFACE. 



THE organization known as the Farmers' Alliance has as- 

 sumed such vast proportions, and attracted such widespread 

 attention, that a detailed, authentic history of its origin, growth, 

 aims, and purposes, has become a necessity. At the urgent 

 solicitation of many of the brethren, and moved by a desire to 

 serve the best interests of the order, I have undertaken the 

 task of placing before the public, and within reach of all, a 

 work of this character. 



In doing so, I have enjoyed exceptional facilities for obtaining 

 correct information and original documents and records, and 

 have also had the hearty co-operation and aid of many of the 

 best members of the order. The number and value of the 

 contributions from this source, found in this book, will bear 

 testimony *to these statements. I have thus been enabled to 

 drink at the fountain-head of all Alliance information, regarding 

 its conception, advancement, and its present status. All this 

 I have tried to present faithfully and truthfully, for the con- 

 sideration of my readers. 



The history which I have given proves the saying that 

 "Truth is stranger than fiction," and that the hand of Provi- 

 dence can be seen in the shaping of the conditions of men. 



This book is written to make men and women better; to 

 teach them their duties as citizens ; to inculcate brotherly love 

 and neighborly kindness ; to propagate truth and discard wrong ; 

 to increase the power of education, and thereby decrease the 

 disasters of ignorance ; to clearly show that the doctrine and 



